mano
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2004
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A week ago I posted about a problem I had with a cobbler (http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=22450) and just yesterday I had a similar problem with my tailor of five years.
Joe has been my tailor for five years and I've been to him countless times. His wife left him in Italy and here in the US, he does decent work for basic things like cuffs, taking trousers in/out and shortening sleeves, but if I needed button-holes cut I went to a fellow farther away who really appreciated and enjoyed that type of work.
I always like developing relationships with people I work with and while we transacted business, Joe would tell me about his life, which was pretty lonely. I referred family and friends and during holiday time I'd give him an appropriate gift worth around $25. Whenever I came in, Joe would give a big smile and we'd chat and kid back and forth. I never asked for any favors with the single exception of asking if he could take in some pants in three days time versus the seven day turnaround he usually had.
On four occasions during the past two years, Joe wouldn't have my stuff finished on time. He said he had a flu or wasn't feeling well, so I'd come back later. I was always empathic and always asked about his health. On a few occassions he forgot to sew in a button, but I let it pass.
Yesterday morning when I come to pick up several items they're not ready, "I haven't been feeling well." He tells me to return at noon. I'm not thrilled about having to make a special trip to his shop, which has never been conveniently located.
I return at 12:15 and some things are done but he hasn't finished the others.
Joe: “I told you 12-1:00”
Mano: “Joe, you said 12:00”
Joe: “I got busy. Come back in an hour.”
Mano: “I won't be able to come back for another week and don't want to wait. It's already been two weeks."
Joe: “So what, some people wait three"
Mano: “If the receipt said three weeks that would've been fine, but you said two, so that's when I came.”
Joe: "You don't understand, I was sick."
Mano: "I understand, but you didn't call and you said this morning to come back at noon."
Joe: "I said 12:00 - 1:00!"
Mano: "Joe, this is the fifth time this has happened. It's not fair to me."
Joe: "You don't understand, I was sick!"
Mano: "Joe, I do understand, but you didn't call and I came back when you said."
Joe: "I said 1:00!"
Joe had brought out the two items that weren't finished to show one was in progress and the other not even started. Throughout all this I'm nice enough, but Joe's getting really pissed.
Mano: "Joe, I'm going to take these to someone else."
Joe: "Fine, I'm better off without you!"
Going to someone else is no big deal, and I guess I was about ready to cut bait with him anyway. Anyone else have similar problems with tailors and cobblers?
Joe has been my tailor for five years and I've been to him countless times. His wife left him in Italy and here in the US, he does decent work for basic things like cuffs, taking trousers in/out and shortening sleeves, but if I needed button-holes cut I went to a fellow farther away who really appreciated and enjoyed that type of work.
I always like developing relationships with people I work with and while we transacted business, Joe would tell me about his life, which was pretty lonely. I referred family and friends and during holiday time I'd give him an appropriate gift worth around $25. Whenever I came in, Joe would give a big smile and we'd chat and kid back and forth. I never asked for any favors with the single exception of asking if he could take in some pants in three days time versus the seven day turnaround he usually had.
On four occasions during the past two years, Joe wouldn't have my stuff finished on time. He said he had a flu or wasn't feeling well, so I'd come back later. I was always empathic and always asked about his health. On a few occassions he forgot to sew in a button, but I let it pass.
Yesterday morning when I come to pick up several items they're not ready, "I haven't been feeling well." He tells me to return at noon. I'm not thrilled about having to make a special trip to his shop, which has never been conveniently located.
I return at 12:15 and some things are done but he hasn't finished the others.
Joe: “I told you 12-1:00”
Mano: “Joe, you said 12:00”
Joe: “I got busy. Come back in an hour.”
Mano: “I won't be able to come back for another week and don't want to wait. It's already been two weeks."
Joe: “So what, some people wait three"
Mano: “If the receipt said three weeks that would've been fine, but you said two, so that's when I came.”
Joe: "You don't understand, I was sick."
Mano: "I understand, but you didn't call and you said this morning to come back at noon."
Joe: "I said 12:00 - 1:00!"
Mano: "Joe, this is the fifth time this has happened. It's not fair to me."
Joe: "You don't understand, I was sick!"
Mano: "Joe, I do understand, but you didn't call and I came back when you said."
Joe: "I said 1:00!"
Joe had brought out the two items that weren't finished to show one was in progress and the other not even started. Throughout all this I'm nice enough, but Joe's getting really pissed.
Mano: "Joe, I'm going to take these to someone else."
Joe: "Fine, I'm better off without you!"
Going to someone else is no big deal, and I guess I was about ready to cut bait with him anyway. Anyone else have similar problems with tailors and cobblers?